Bowen trying to get more women to compete in City Open

While she enjoys winning the City Open women's championship, Madison Bowen would much rather do so in a crowded field of golfers.

Bowen won Sunday's city title in a field of only two women, while last year no women at all competed in the tournament.

Bowen, a 21-year-old Dow High graduate and current Albion College golfer who works at the Currie pro shop in the summer, tried to convince more females to compete this year. And she actually had gotten commitments from nine women at one point to play in this year's City Open.

But Bowen said that due to injuries, conflicts and one person moving away from Midland, the field ended up with only two women.

"I wanted to get more women involved," Bowen said.

Bowen said that this year's City Open was even scheduled intentionally at a time that wouldn't conflict with tournaments at other area courses.

"In future years, I really hope it does keep growing," she said of the number of females who enter the City Open.